Moisture barrier hold-down device, system, and method

ABSTRACT

A hold-down nail includes two portions, a stake and a washer, that function in combination to secure a sheet or cover over some type of material, such as an earthen material, and thereby protects the material from the elements and prevents movement of the material due to wind, rain, snow, etc. or foot or other type of traffic over the material.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims the benefit of copending U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/220,805, filed Jun. 26, 2009, whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to devices forsecuring a cover in place over some object to be protected by the cover.

BACKGROUND

Situations arise in a variety of different contexts where some object,such as a pile of dirt or some other material, is located outdoors andis to be protected from the elements, namely wind, rain, snow, etc.Standard hold-down or anchoring systems for the material consist ofsandbags lined or connected together in a daisy-chain fashion with ropeand placed at 8-10 foot centers across some sort of cover placed overthe material to be protected. This sandbagging method requires: i) bags,rope, sand, and labor to fill and tie the bags; ii) labor to transportthe heavy bags to the proper location; and iii) labor to tie the bagstogether to prevent the bags from sliding off the sometimes steep sidesof the stockpile of material being protected. When the stockpile ofmaterial being protected is ready to be uncovered and used, the sandbagsand cover are removed or disposed of due to ultra violet degradation.Typically at this point, however, the sandbags will have holes whichmake them unusable on another job during their time spent in position onthe cover or due to wooden stakes being driven through them to hold themin position. Thus, the sandbags must typically be disposed of after onlyone use. Accordingly, improved methods and devices are needed to moreeasily and economically protect stockpiles of material.

SUMMARY

A hold-down nail includes two portions, a stake and a washer, thatfunction in combination to secure a sheet or cover over some type ofmaterial, such as an earthen material, and thereby protects the materialfrom the elements and prevents movement of the material due to wind,rain, snow, etc., or foot or other type of traffic over the material.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a hold-down nailincludes a stake including a shaft having a longitudinal axis extendingalong a length of the shaft. The shaft also has a head end and apenetrating end and has at least one adjustment tab extendinglongitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the shaft. Ahold-down washer includes an opening having at least one adjustment slotformed at a periphery of the opening. The hold-down washer receives thepenetrating end of the shaft through the opening and slides along thelongitudinal axis of the shaft towards the head end. Each adjustmentslot of the hold-down washer engages or disengages a correspondingadjustment tab at defined points along the shaft and thereby enables thehold-down washer to be locked in multiple longitudinal positions alongthe shaft. Other embodiments include systems utilizing such nails incombination with a cover and methods of securing such covers to amaterial to be protected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are 3-D projections of a moisture barrier hold-down nailaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating use of a number of themoisture barrier hold-down nails of FIG. 1 in combination with aprotective cover to protect a stockpile of a material from the elements.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the washer portion of the moisture barrierhold-down nails of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the stake and washer portions ofthe moisture barrier hold-down nail in position in the material beingprotected in the protective system of FIG. 2 according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a simplified cross-sectional diagram of the moisture barrierhold-down nail of FIG. 3B showing the washer secured in a first positionat the second ends of the adjustment tabs and security and a secondposition at the head portion.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a stake portion of a moisturebarrier hold-down nail according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a more detailed cross-sectional view of stake of a moisturebarrier hold-down nail according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a 3-D projection of a washer portion of a moisture barrierhold-down nail according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a 3-D projection illustrating several stake portions ofmoisture barrier hold-down nails according to further embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B are 3-D projections of a moisture barrier hold-down nail100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The moisturebarrier hold-down nail 100 includes two portions, a stake 102 and ahold-down washer 104, that function in combination to secure a sheet orcover (not shown) over some type of material to be protected, such as anearthen material. FIGS. 1A and 1B show different views of the moisturebarrier hold-down nail 100 to better illustrate both the stake 102 andhold-down washer 104. FIG. 1A shows the top side of the washer 104 andalso shows that the stake 102 includes a head portion 106 against whichthe washer 104 presses when the washer is in the position shown in thefigures. FIG. 1B shows the bottom side of the washer 104 and illustratesadjustment tabs formed on the stake 102 that fit into correspondingadjustment slots on the washer. These adjustment tabs on the stake 102and adjustment slots on the washer 104 function in combination to allowthe washer to be fixed in different positions along the stake to therebyeffectively adjust the length of the stake, as will be described in moredetail below.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a protective system 200including a number of the moisture barrier hold-down nails 100 of FIG. 1in combination with a protective cover 202 to protect a stockpile ofmaterial 204 from the elements, which are depicted in FIG. 2 through thearrow 206. In operation, a washer 104 is positioned on each stake 102 atthe desired position and each stake is thereafter inserted through thecover 202 and into the material 204 being protected, which may be anearthen material such as dirt or sand. The cover 202 may have suitableholes (not shown) formed in the coverthrough which the stake 102 isinserted or may be made from a material, such as plastic, that allowsthe stakes to be pushed through the cover and into the material 204. Asshown in a cross-sectional diagram of FIG. 2, a number of moisturebarrier hold-down nails 100 are inserted in this way at variouslocations on the cover 202 to secure the cover in place over thematerial 204 and protect the material. The washer 104 of each moisturebarrier hold-down nail is secured in place against the cover 202 by thehead portion 106 of the stake 102 (when the washer 104 is positioned asshown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and provides a relatively large surfacesecuring the cover in place so that the cover does not easily rip when aforce, such as wind, acts on the cover in a direction that would removethe cover from the material if the washer and stake were not in place.

With the moisture barrier hold-down nail, the only tool required toinstall the cover 202 is a 2-pound hammer or other suitable tool thatcan be utilized to pound the stake 102 into the cover 202. The two-piecedesign of the moisture barrier hold-down nail 100 allows a largequantity of stakes 102 and washers 104 to be easily transported in aburlap or similar bag. Each moisture barrier hold-down nail 100 iseasily installed with a few blows of the hammer. Removal of the moisturebarrier hold-down nails 100 is also quick and easy, with the moisturebarrier hold-down nails being pulled out and placed into the transportbags for easy transport to the next location or to a storage area forsubsequent use. In this way, the moisture barrier hold-down nails 100may be reused numerous times.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the washer 104 of the moisture barrierhold-down nail 100 of FIG. 1 and is positioned adjacent FIG. 3B, whichis a cross-sectional view of the stake 102 and washer of the moisturebarrier hold-down nail of FIGS. 1 and 2 in position within the material202 of FIG. 2 being protected, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the stake 102includes a shaft having a first diameter D1 and a longitudinal axis LAextending along a length L of the shaft. The shaft 300 also includes ahead end at which a circular head portion 302 having a second diameterD2 is formed, and a penetrating end 304 opposite the head end. Thepenetrating end 304 is tapered in the embodiment of FIG. 3B so that thestake 102 can be easily inserted into the material 204 being protected.The second diameter D2 of the head portion 302 is greater than a thirddiameter D3 of an opening 305 formed in the center of the washer 104, aswill be discussed in more detail below.

The stake 102 further includes a number of adjustment tabs 306 formed ona shaft 300 and extending longitudinally along a portion of the length Lof the shaft. As seen referring back to FIGS. 1A and 1B along with FIG.3B, the adjustment tabs 306 are rectangular projections formed on theshaft 300. In other embodiments the adjustment tabs 306 have differentshapes, with any suitable shape being within the scope of embodiments ofthe present invention. The adjustment tabs 306 are circumferentiallyspaced on the shaft 300 and have a fourth diameter D4 relative to thelongitudinal axis LA of the shaft 300. The fourth diameter D4 of theadjustment tabs 306 is less than the second diameter of the head portion302 in the embodiment of FIG. 3B. In this embodiment the adjustment tabs306 have first ends adjoining the head portion 302 and second ends 308opposite the first ends, with the second ends 308 being taperedextending towards the penetrating end 304 of the shaft 300.

The hold-down washer 104 includes opening 305 and also has at least oneadjustment slot 307 formed at the periphery of the opening Theadjustments slots 307 are circumferentially spaced around the peripheryof the opening 305 such that each of the adjustment slots 307 can bealigned with a corresponding adjustment tab 306 on the shaft 300. Thehold-down washer 104 receives the penetrating end 304 of the shaft 300through the opening 305 and slides along the longitudinal axis LA of theshaft towards the head portion 302 of the shaft. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3B, prior to the washer 104 reaching the adjustment tabs 306 thewasher may be rotated freely about the shaft 300. The adjustment slots307 of the hold-down washer 104 are said to engage the adjustment tabs306 on the shaft when not aligned with the adjustment slots such thatthe washer no longer longitudinally slides towards the head portion 302.Instead in this situation the washer 104 “engages” the tapered secondends 308 of the adjustment tabs 306. The diameter D3 of the opening 305is less than the diameter D4 of the tabs 306 and thus the tabs engage orstop the washer 104 at this position.

Conversely, the adjustment slots 307 of the hold-down washer 104 aresaid to “disengage” the adjustment tabs 306 on the shaft when alignedwith the adjustment slots such that the washer, even upon reaching thesecond ends 308 of the adjustment tabs, continues sliding longitudinallytowards the head portion 302 and finally stops upon reaching the headportion 302. In this way the adjustment tabs 306 and adjustment slots307 operate in combination to enable the hold-down washer 104 to belocked in multiple longitudinal positions along the shaft 300. Note thatin the embodiment of FIG. 3B the stake 102 further includes taperedretaining projections 310 a and 310 b formed at different longitudinalpositions along the shaft and function to resist removal of the stakefrom the material 204 being protected. Different numbers and shapes canbe utilized for such retaining projections 310, and such projections arealso omitted in other.

FIG. 3C is a simplified cross-sectional diagram of the moisture barrierhold-down nail 100 of FIG. 3B showing the washer 104 secured in a firstposition at the second ends of the adjustment tabs 306 and secured in asecond position at the head portion 302. In the first position, thewasher 104 is oriented such that the adjustment slots 307 (not shown inFIG. 3C) engage the adjustment tabs 306, meaning that the adjustmentslots are not aligned with the adjustment tabs. As a result, the opening305 and the washer 104 presses against the tapered second ends 308 ofthe adjustment tabs 306 as the washer is moved longitudinally upwardtoward the head portion 302 and in this way is secured in the firstposition. Conversely, when the adjustment slots 307 in the washer 104are aligned with the adjustment tabs 306 the washer 104 is moved all theway up the shaft 300 until the washer presses against the head portion302 and is thereby secured in the second position.

The adjustment tabs 306 and adjustment slots 307 in the washer 104 (FIG.3A) may be different in number and shape in other embodiments of thepresent invention. For example, in another embodiment the first ends ofthe adjustment tabs 306 do not extend all the way up to the head portion302. Instead, each adjustment tab 306 includes a slot 312 having athickness T as shown through the dotted lines for the adjustment tab onthe left in FIG. 3C. With this embodiment once the washer 104 is pressedagainst the head portion 302 the washer can be rotated so that theadjustment slots 307 are no longer aligned with the adjustment tabs 306and in this way the washer is secured in the second position pressingagainst the head portion.

In another embodiment the adjustment tabs 306 extend farther down theshaft 300 and include locking slots 314 formed in selected longitudinallocations along the shaft. Once again, this is illustrated in FIG. 3Cfor only one of the adjustment tabs on the left side of the moisturebarrier hold-down nail 100 merely to simplify the figure, with theseexpanded portions of the adjustment tabs being designated as 306 in thefigure. The washer 104 may then be secured in position at any of thelocations of the locking slots 314 to thereby provide a number ofeffective lengths for the stake 102. The ability to secure the washer104 in different longitudinal positions along the stake 102 enables theeffective length of the stake to vary the penetration into the material204 being protected, which eliminates the need to have different lengthsof stakes at the job site for different types of materials.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a stake 400 of a hold-down nailaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the stake 400 has an overall length L formed by threesegments L1, L2, and L3 as shown. The first segment L1 includesadjustment tabs 402 extending from a head portion 404 and having taperedends towards the tip end of these adjustment tabs. A first locking slotS1 is formed at the end of these adjustment tabs 402 and adjustment tabs402 extend on the second segment L2 of the stake 400, and once againhave tapered ends towards the tip end of these adjustment tabs. The tipend of the third segment L3 is also tapered, with the taper associatedwith each of the segments L1, L2, and L3 being designated through anangle θ. In the depicted example embodiment the taper angle θ is 10degrees.

FIG. 5 is a more detailed cross-sectional view of stake 500 of amoisture barrier hold-down nail according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. The stake 500 has an overall length L formed by twosegments L1 and L2 as shown. The first segment L1 includes adjustmenttabs 502 extending from a head portion 504 and having tapered endstowards the tip end of these adjustment tabs. In this embodiment thehead portion 504 includes a plurality of holes 506 extending through thehead portion 504. Lines or rope can be threaded through such holes 506to help the stake 500 secure a cover (not shown in FIG. 5) in place. Thesecond segment L2 of the stake 500 is tapered towards the tip end of thestake. The taper associated with each of the segments L1 and L2 is againdesignated through an angle θ, which in the depicted example is 15degrees.

FIG. 6 is a 3-D projection of a washer 600 of a moisture barrierhold-down nail according to another embodiment of the present invention.The washer 600 includes an outer circumferential ring 602 at a firstradial distance from center C of the moisture barrier hold-down washerand having an outer radial edge 604 defining a diameter of the hold-downwasher. The outer circumferential ring 602 also includes an inner radialedge 606. The washer 600 further includes an inner circumferential ring608 at a second radial distance that is less than the first radialdistance. A plurality of radial projections 610 are equallycircumferentially spaced, with each radial projection extending betweenthe opening in the center C of the circular-shaped washer 600 and theinner radial edge 606 of the outer circumferential ring 602. Thisembodiment saves material required to form the washer 600. The radialprojections 610 are not equally circumferentially spaced in otherembodiments of the present invention, and may also have profiles thatvary in the radial direction.

FIG. 7 is a 3-D projection illustrating several stakes 700 a, 700 b, and700 c for moisture barrier hold-down nails according to furtherembodiments of the present invention. As seen in these embodiments thenumber, length, and specific structure of the adjustment tabs anddiameters of the various segments of the stakes vary in differentembodiments of the present invention.

The stakes and washers of the moisture barrier hold-down nail inembodiments of the present invention may be formed from a variety ofdifferent materials, such as steel, aluminum, or impact resistantplastic or any other suitable material. Impact resistant plastic wouldin many situations be advantageous due to its lighter weight and lowercost, particularly relative to sandbags. Furthermore, when the moisturebarrier hold-down nails are formed from impact resistant plastic theycan be stored in wet locations indefinitely without significant damageto the moisture barrier hold-down nail 100. The labor savings forinstallation and removal are substantial compared to the sandbag methodand the moisture barrier hold-down nails are reusable.

The washer 104 may be manufactured in various sizes depending on thethickness and durability of the cover 202 (FIG. 2) and the degree ofwind exposure or other forces. The outside edges of the washer 104 thatmay come in contact with the cover have a suitable profile, such as aradiused edge profile, to reduce the likelihood of the washer tearingthe cover.

Various sizes of the moisture barrier hold-down nail 100 can be formedfor different applications. In one embodiment, a smaller version of themoisture barrier hold-down nail 100 is used for securing sheets ofplastic of other covers in crawl spaces of homes and for “underslab”vapor barriers prior to placing rebar, insulation and concrete. Themoisture barrier hold-down nail 100 in another application is used bylandscapers to secure weed block fabrics or filter fabrics prior toinstalling topsoil or mulch. Note that the stake 102 and washer 104 mayphysically be two separate components as illustrated in the embodimentof FIG. 1 or alternatively the washer and stake may be integrated toform a unitary embodiment of the moisture barrier hold-down nail 100.

In the present description, certain details are set forth in conjunctionwith the described embodiments of the present invention to provide asufficient understanding of the invention. One skilled in the art willappreciate, however, that the invention may be practiced without theseparticular details. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will appreciatethat the example embodiments described herein do not limit the scope ofthe present invention, and will also understand that variousmodifications, equivalents, and combinations of the disclosedembodiments and components of such embodiments are within the scope ofthe present invention. Embodiments including fewer than all thecomponents of any of the respective described embodiments may also bewithin the scope of the present invention although not expresslydescribed in detail herein. Finally, the operation of well-knowncomponents and/or processes has not been shown or described in detail toavoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

1. A hold-down nail, comprising: a stake including a shaft having alongitudinal axis extending along a length of the shaft, the shaft alsohaving a head end and a penetrating end and having at least oneadjustment tab extending longitudinally along at least a portion of thelength of the shaft; and a hold-down washer including an opening havingat least one adjustment slot formed at a periphery of the opening, thehold-down washer adapted to receive the penetrating end of the shaftthrough the opening and to slide along the longitudinal axis of theshaft towards the head end, and each adjustment slot of the hold-downwasher being operable to engage or disengage a corresponding adjustmenttab at defined points along the shaft and thereby enable the hold-downwasher to be locked in multiple longitudinal positions along the shaft.2. The hold-down nail of claim 1, wherein the shaft of the stake has afirst diameter; wherein each adjustment tab has a first end proximatethe head end and a second end nearer the penetrating end; wherein thestake includes a head portion at the head end of the shaft, the headportion having a second diameter that is greater than the firstdiameter; and wherein the opening of the hold-down washer has a thirddiameter that is greater than the first diameter and less than thesecond diameter, and wherein the hold-down washer is adapted to slidealong the longitudinal axis of the shaft towards the head end and, wheneach adjustment slot of the hold-down washer is not aligned with acorresponding adjustment tab of the shaft, to engage the second end ofeach adjustment tab to lock the hold-down washer in a first longitudinalposition and, when each adjustment slot is aligned with a correspondingadjustment tab of the shaft, to slide along the longitudinal axis of theshaft and engage the head portion to lock in a second longitudinalposition.
 3. The hold-down nail of claim 2, wherein the shaft of thestake is cylindrical, and wherein the adjustment tabs extend radiallyfrom a surface of the cylindrical shaft and have a fourth diameter thatis less than the second diameter of the head portion.
 4. The hold-downnail of claim 3, wherein each adjustment tab is tapered at the secondend of the adjustment tab.
 5. The hold-down nail of claim 3, whereineach adjustment tab has the fourth diameter for a first longitudinalportion of the adjustment tab, and wherein each adjustment tab has afifth diameter for a second longitudinal portion of the adjustment tab,the fifth diameter being less than the fourth diameter.
 6. The hold-downnail of claim 4, wherein the head portion of the shaft of the stake is acircular-shaped disk having a thickness, and wherein the head portionincludes a plurality of holes extending through the circular-shaped diskfrom one end to the other, the diameters of these holes being less thanthe thickness of the disk.
 7. The hold-down nail of claim 1, wherein thepenetrating end of the shaft includes a tapered end portion.
 8. Thehold-down nail of claim 1, wherein the hold-down washer iscircular-shaped with the opening formed in the center of thecircular-shaped washer.
 9. The hold-down nail of claim 8, wherein thehold-down washer comprises: an outer circumferential ring at a firstradial distance from the center of the hold-down washer and having anouter radial edge defining a diameter of the hold-down washer and havingan inner radial edge; an inner circumferential ring at a second radialdistance that is less than the first radial distance; and a plurality ofradial projections, each radial projection extending between the openingin the center of the circular-shaped washer and the inner radial edge ofthe outer circumferential ring.
 10. The hold-down nail of claim 1,wherein the shaft of the stake further includes tapered retainingprojections formed at selected points along the length of the shaft. 11.The hold-down nail of claim 1, wherein the stake is formed from a singlemolded plastic material and wherein the hold-down washer is also formedfrom a single molded piece of plastic material.
 12. The hold-down nailof claim 1, wherein the hold-down washer is circular-shaped and theopening is circular-shaped and at the center of the hold-down washer;wherein the hold-down washer includes a plurality of adjustment slotsformed around the periphery of the circular-shaped opening, eachadjustment slot being a rectangular-shaped slot extending through athickness of the hold-down washer; and wherein each of the adjustmenttabs is also rectangular-shaped and adapted to fit within acorresponding adjustment slot.
 13. A protection system for protecting amaterial from the elements, the system comprising: a protective cover;and a plurality of hold-down nails, each hold-down nail being adapted topenetrate through the cover to secure the cover in a desired position,and each hold-down nail comprising: a stake including a shaft having alongitudinal axis extending along a length of the shaft, the shaft alsohaving a head end and a penetrating end and having at least oneadjustment tab extending longitudinally along at least a portion of thelength of the shaft; and a hold-down washer including an opening havingat least one adjustment slot formed at a periphery of the opening, thehold-down washer adapted to receive the penetrating end of the shaftthrough the opening and to slide along the longitudinal axis of theshaft towards the head end, and each adjustment slot of the hold-downwasher being operable to engage or disengage a corresponding adjustmenttab at defined points along the shaft and thereby enable the hold-downwasher to be locked in multiple longitudinal positions along the shaft.14. The protection system of claim 13, wherein the protective coverincludes a plurality of holes, each hole adapted to receive the stake ofa respective hold-down nail to thereby allow the hold-down nails topenetrate through the cover in this way.
 15. The protection system ofclaim 13, wherein the protective cover is placed over a material andsecured in place over the material through the hold-down nails.
 16. Theprotection system of claim 13, wherein the protective cover is plasticor other material.
 17. A method of protecting a material from theelements, the method comprising: placing a protective cover over thematerial to be protected; adjusting the length of a plurality ofhold-down nails; and forcing each of the hold-down nails through thecover and into the material to thereby secure the cover over thematerial and protect the cover from the elements.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein adjusting the length of a plurality of hold-down nailscomprises: selecting a stake of each hold-down nail; and inserting ahold-down washer in a desired position along the length of the stake tothereby define effective length of the stake.
 19. The method of claim17, wherein forcing each of the hold-down nails through the cover andinto the material comprises applying a force to a head end of eachhold-down nail via a hammer.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein theelements comprise wind, rain, snow, and so on that may be present in anoutdoor environment.